Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains
Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains Bernini's earliest fountain, named Barcaccia, is a masterful work of art seen at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna.
This spot is still filled with Roman locals and tourists who like to exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. Bernini would undoubtedly have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's trendiest areas, that surrounding his amazing water fountain. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the earliest water fountain of the master's career. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a large vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flooding of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the fountain according to documents from the time. In 1665 Bernini journeyed to France, in what was to be his sole prolonged absence from Italy.
How Mechanical Designs of Fountains Spread
How Mechanical Designs of Fountains Spread Instrumental to the advancement of scientific technology were the printed letters and illustrated publications of the day. They were also the principal method of transferring practical hydraulic information and fountain design ideas all through Europe.
An unnamed French water fountain designer came to be an globally renowned hydraulic leader in the late 1500's. His competence in creating gardens and grottoes with incorporated and imaginative water fountains began in Italy and with mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. “The Principles of Moving Forces”, a publication which became the essential text on hydraulic technology and engineering, was written by him toward the end of his life in France. Describing modern hydraulic systems, the book also updated key hydraulic breakthroughs of classical antiquity. As a mechanical way to push water, Archimedes made the water screw, key among important hydraulic discoveries. Sunlight heating water in two vessels hidden in a room adjacent to an decorative water fountain was shown in one illustration. What occurs is the hot water expanded, rises and locks up the piping leading to the water feature, consequently leading to stimulation. Yard ponds as well as pumps, water wheels, and water feature creations are incorporated in the book.
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Designs on the Market
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Designs on the Market Wall fountains are well suited to little patios or gardens because they do not require too much space while also adding a touch of style and providing a great place to find peace and quiet. The multitude of styles in outdoor wall fountains, including traditional, classic, contemporary, or Asian, means that you can find the one suitable to your wishes. Your tastes dictate the type you buy so while there may not be a prefabricated fountain to satisfy you, you do have the option of having a customized one.
Mounted and stand-alone water features are available on the market. Little, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be installed on any surface. One of the most important features of wall fountains is that they be light, so they are typically made of fiberglass or resin to mirror the look of stone. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a flat side leaning on a wall. Typically made of cast stone, this kind of water feature is not restricted in weight.
Landscape designers often recommend a custom-built fountain for a brand new or existing wall. Installing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work requires a professional mason to do it properly. You will need to integrate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. The cohesive look provided by custom-made wall fountains make them appear to be part of the landscape instead of an afterthought.
Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles
Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles
Rome’s 1st elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in 273 BC; prior to that, residents living at higher elevations had to depend on local creeks for their water. If residents residing at higher elevations did not have accessibility to springs or the aqueduct, they’d have to rely on the remaining existing technologies of the time, cisterns that compiled rainwater from the sky and subterranean wells that drew the water from below ground. From the early sixteenth century, water was routed to Pincian Hill via the subterranean channel of Acqua Vergine. During its initial construction, pozzi (or manholes) were installed at set intervals along the aqueduct’s channel. During the some 9 years he owned the property, from 1543 to 1552, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi utilized these manholes to take water from the network in containers, though they were initially designed for the intent of cleaning and maintenance the aqueduct. Reportedly, the rainwater cistern on his property wasn’t adequate to satisfy his needs. That is when he decided to create an access point to the aqueduct that ran directly below his residence.